MHA asks states, UTs to ensure fire safety in hospitals

New Delhi, May 5

The Home Ministry has asked states and union territories to conduct a detailed review of fire-safety mechanisms at hospitals and nursing homes, a move that follows several instances of fires at healthcare facilities in various parts of the country, a spokesperson said on Wednesday.

Taking note of the incidents at a time the healthcare system is battling the Covid pandemic, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla has written to state chief secretaries and UT administrators to draw their attention to the fires caused by short-circuits in hospitals and nursing homes. In a communication to chief secretaries of states and UTs, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla said, “Care should be taken to put in place a plan of action, to ensure that no fire incident occurs in any of the health facilities (particularly Covid-19 dedicated centres) both in the government and private sector.”

Bhalla insisted that the states and UTs conduct a detailed review with officials from the health, power and fire departments, and “prepare a detailed plan of action. — TNS

NSG sees first covid death

• Country’s federal counter-terrorist commando force National Security Guard (NSG) reported its first Covid-linked death on Wednesday when a senior commander succumbed to the infection, officials said.
• NSG Group Commander (coordination) BK Jha, who was 53-year-old, was not in the combat role as he worked in one of the administrative units of the force. He had joined the NSG on deputation in 2018.